NEW DELHI: India's third-largest operator Idea Cellular Thursday procured 349.2 MHz of spectrum at a bid value of Rs 12,798 crore in a 5-day spectrum sale conducted by the government.

Idea has acquired additional 2x74.6 MHz spectrum in FDD technology on 1800 and 2100 bands, and 200 MHz of capacity spectrum in TDD technology on 2300 and 2500 bands, the telco said in a statement.

The new airwaves acquisition helped Idea to reach its mobile broadband footprint across all 22 telecom circles.

With an aggregate spectrum holding of over 890 MHz (in FDD and TDD technology bands) including acquisition in the current auction of 349.20 MHz, Idea has filled all of its spectrum coverage requirements, Idea Cellular chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said.

He, however, added that the telco would now focus on expanding its wireless broadband presence primarily on 4G LTE technology.

The Mumbai-based telco in this auction has expanded its spectrum portfolio by over 64%.

"While being prudent in its spectrum acquisition with less than 1% premium paid over the DoT set reserve price, Idea in this auction, procures the highest ever, airwaves across 900, 1800, 2100, 2300 and 2500 MHz, " Himanshu Kapania, Managing Director, Idea Cellular said.

The company said that it has strengthened its spectrum holding with leadership positions in various circles that include Maharashtra and Goa, Uttar Pradesh West, Uttar Pradesh East, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Kerala, Haryana and Punjab.

The government has concluded spectrum sale after receiving total bids worth Rs 63, 325 crore.